Building block placement apparatus

Abstract

A building block placement apparatus is disclosed for facilitating the placement of a building block at a work site. The apparatus includes a pedestal which defines an opening. An elongate support has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the support is inserted within the opening of the pedestal for support therein. The elongate support extends upwardly from the pedestal. A telescopic extension has a first end and a second end, the first end of the telescopic extension being hingedly supported by the distal end of the elongate support. An adjustable jacking device has a first extremity and a second extremity, the first extremity being pivotally secured to the elongate support between the proximal end and the distal end thereof. The second extremity is pivotally secured to the telescopic extension between the first end and the second end thereof such that when the jacking device is adjusted, an angle defined between the elongate support and the telescopic extension is changed. A hoist is secured to the telescopic extension. The hoist includes a flexible line which has an outboard end. A building block moving device is secured to the outboard end of the flexible line for facilitating placement of the building blocks at the work site. The building block moving device includes a first elongate arm having a first termination supported by the outboard end of the line. A second elongate arm has a first edge pivotally secured to the first termination of the first arm. The first arm and the second arm define respectively a second termination and a second edge disposed remote from the outboard end of the line. A third elongate arm has a further termination pivotally secured to the second termination. A fourth elongate arm has a further edge pivotally secured to the second edge. The third elongate arm and the fourth elongate arm have a remote first end and remote second end respectively. The third arm and the fourth arm are pivotally secured relative to each other between the further termination and the remote first end of the third arm and between the further edge and the remote second end of the fourth arm. A building block engaging device extends from the remote first end of the third arm. A further building block engaging device extends from the remote second end of the fourth arm such that in the absence of any tension in the line, the block engaging device and the further block engaging device are free to move away from each other so that at least a portion of the building block is disposed between the block engaging devices, but when tension is applied to the line by the hoist, the block engaging devices move towards each other for firmly and securely engaging therebetween the at least a portion of the building block for facilitating lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block without any need for manual lifting of the building block and the possibility of any back injury that could result from such manual lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building block placement apparatus for facilitating the placement of a building block at a work site, said apparatus comprising:
 a pedestal defining an opening;   an elongate support having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said support being inserted within said opening of said pedestal for support therein, said elongate support extending upwardly from said pedestal;   a telescopic extension having a first end and a second end, said first end of said telescopic extension being hingedly supported by said distal end of said elongate support;   an adjustable jacking device having a first extremity and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said elongate support between said proximal end and said distal end thereof, said second extremity being pivotally secured to said telescopic extension between said first end and said second end thereof such that when said jacking device is adjusted, an angle defined between said elongate support and said telescopic extension is changed;   a hoist secured to said telescopic extension, said hoist including:
 a flexible line having an outboard end; 
   a building block moving device secured to said outboard end of said flexible line for facilitating placement of the building blocks at the work site;   said building block moving device including:   a first elongate arm having a first termination supported by said outboard end of said line;   a second elongate arm having a first edge pivotally secured to said first termination of said first arm;   said first arm and said second arm defining respectively a second termination and a second edge disposed remote from said outboard end of said line;   a third elongate arm having a further termination pivotally secured to said second termination;   a fourth elongate arm having a further edge pivotally secured to said second edge;   said third elongate arm and said fourth elongate arm having a remote first end and remote second end respectively, said third arm and said fourth arm being pivotally secured relative to each other between said further termination and said remote first end of said third arm and between said further edge and said remote second end of said fourth arm;   a building block engaging device extending from said remote first end of said third arm; and   a further building block engaging device extending from said remote second end of said fourth arm such that in the absence of any tension in said line, said block engaging device and said further block engaging device are free to move away from each other so that at least a portion of the building block is disposed between said block engaging devices, but when tension is applied to said line by said hoist, said block engaging devices move towards each other for firmly and securely engaging therebetween said at least a portion of the building block for facilitating lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block without any need for manual lifting of the building block and the possibility of any back injury that could result from such manual lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block.   
     
     
         2 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further including:
 a trailer for transporting the building block placement apparatus to and from a work site said pedestal being anchored to said trailer. 
 
     
     
         3 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein
 said opening in said pedestal being of round shaped configuration for rotatable reception therein of said proximal end of said support such that rotation of said elongate support relative to said pedestal is permitted. 
 
     
     
         4 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein
 said elongate support is removably secured within said opening for facilitating transportation of the building block placement apparatus by said trailer. 
 
     
     
         5 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  further including:
 a lifting device secured to said trailer for lifting said elongate support. 
 
     
     
         6 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further including:
 a first extension having a first lower connector and a first upper connector; 
 said first lower connector selectively cooperating with said opening in said pedestal, said first lower connector being removably received within said opening in said pedestal, said first upper connector of said extension removably receiving therein said proximal end of said elongate support when in use of the building block placement apparatus, the building blocks have been laid up to a first height thereof; 
 a second extension having a second lower connector and a second upper connector; 
 said second lower connector selectively cooperating with said first upper connector of said first extension, said second lower connector of said second extension being removably received within said first upper connector of said first extension, said second upper connector of said second extension then removably receiving therein said proximal end of said elongate support when in use of the building block placement apparatus, the building blocks have been laid up to a second height thereof. 
 
     
     
         7 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said telescopic extension including; 
 a first member having an inboard end and an outboard end, said inboard end of said first member being pivotally secured to said distal end of said elongate support such that pivoting of said first member relative to said elongate support is permitted; 
 a second member having an inside end and an outside end, said inside end of said second member slidably cooperating with said outboard end of said first member such that telescopic movement between said first and second members is permitted; 
 a locking device for locking said first member and said second member relative to each other, said locking device permitting telescopic adjustment of a distance between said inboard end of said first member and said outside end of said second member. 
 
     
     
         8 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said adjustable jacking device includes: 
 a hydraulic jack. 
 
     
     
         9 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said hoist includes: 
 an electric motor; 
 a pulley drivingly connected to said electric motor; 
 said flexible line being wound around said pulley such that when said electric motor is activated, said outboard end of said flexible line moves said building block moving device for facilitating placement of the building blocks at the work site 
 
     
     
         10 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said building block moving device further includes: 
 a handle secured to said first elongate arm for assisting an operator to maneuver said building block moving device so that alignment of the block supported by said building block moving device is facilitated. 
 
     
     
         11 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said building block engaging device extending from said remote first end of said third arm is fabricated from tungsten steel; 
 said further building block engaging device extending from said remote second end of said fourth arm is fabricated from tungsten steel such that said tungsten steel remote ends reliably and firmly hold and support the block. 
 
     
     
         12 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further including:
 a remote-control device operatively connected to said hoist for permitting an operator disposed adjacent to the block to control said hoist. 
 
     
     
         13 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 12  wherein
 said remote-control device is hard wired to said hoist. 
 
     
     
         14 . A building block placement apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said remote-control device is electronically connected to said hoist. 
 
     
     
         15 . A building block placement apparatus for facilitating the placement of a building block at
 a work site, said apparatus comprising:   a pedestal defining an opening;   an elongate support having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said support being inserted within said opening of said pedestal for support therein, said elongate support extending upwardly from said pedestal;   a telescopic extension having a first end and a second end, said first end of said telescopic extension being hingedly supported by said distal end of said elongate support;   an adjustable jacking device having a first extremity and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said elongate support between said proximal end and said distal end thereof, said second extremity being pivotally secured to said telescopic extension between said first end and said second end thereof such that when said jacking device is adjusted, an angle defined between said elongate support and said telescopic extension is changed;   a hoist secured to said telescopic extension, said hoist including:
 a flexible line having an outboard end; 
   a building block moving device secured to said outboard end of said flexible line for facilitating placement of the building blocks at the work site;   said building block moving device including:   a first elongate arm having a first termination supported by said outboard end of said line;   a second elongate arm having a first edge pivotally secured to said first termination of said first arm;   said first arm and said second arm defining respectively a second termination and a second edge disposed remote from said outboard end of said line;   a third elongate arm having a further termination pivotally secured to said second termination;   a fourth elongate arm having a further edge pivotally secured to said second edge;   said third elongate arm and said fourth elongate arm having a remote first end and remote second end respectively, said third arm and said fourth arm being pivotally secured relative to each other between said further termination and said remote first end of said third arm and between said further edge and said remote second end of said fourth arm;   a building block engaging device extending from said remote first end of said third arm;   a further building block engaging device extending from said remote second end of said fourth arm such that in the absence of any tension in said line, said block engaging device and said further block engaging device are free to move away from each other so that at least a portion of the building block is disposed between said block engaging devices, but when tension is applied to said line by said hoist, said block engaging devices move towards each other for firmly and securely engaging therebetween said at least a portion of the building block for facilitating lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block without any need for manual lifting of the building block and the possibility of any back injury that could result from such manual lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block;   a first extension having a first lower connector and a first upper connector;   said first lower connector selectively cooperating with said opening in said pedestal, said first lower connector being removably received within said opening in said pedestal, said first upper connector of said extension removably receiving therein said proximal end of said elongate support when in use of the building block placement apparatus, the building blocks have been laid up to a first height thereof;   a second extension having a second lower connector and a second upper connector; and   said second lower connector selectively cooperating with said first upper connector of said first extension, said second lower connector of said second extension being removably received within said first upper connector of said first extension, said second upper connector of said second extension then removably receiving therein said proximal end of said elongate support when in use of the building block placement apparatus, the building blocks have been laid up to a second height thereof.   
     
     
         16 . A building block placement apparatus for facilitating the placement of a building block at a work site, said apparatus comprising:
 a pedestal defining an opening;   an elongate support having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said support being inserted within said opening of said pedestal for support therein, said elongate support extending upwardly from said pedestal;   a telescopic extension having a first end and a second end, said first end of said telescopic extension being hingedly supported by said distal end of said elongate support;   an adjustable jacking device having a first extremity and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said elongate support between said proximal end and said distal end thereof, said second extremity being pivotally secured to said telescopic extension between said first end and said second end thereof such that when said jacking device is adjusted, an angle defined between said elongate support and said telescopic extension is changed;   a hoist secured to said telescopic extension, said hoist including:
 a flexible line having an outboard end; 
   a building block moving device secured to said outboard end of said flexible line for facilitating placement of the building blocks at the work site;   said building block moving device including:   a first elongate arm having a first termination supported by said outboard end of said line;   a second elongate arm having a first edge pivotally secured to said first termination of said first arm;   said first arm and said second arm defining respectively a second termination and a second edge disposed remote from said outboard end of said line;   a third elongate arm having a further termination pivotally secured to said second termination;   a fourth elongate arm having a further edge pivotally secured to said second edge;   said third elongate arm and said fourth elongate arm having a remote first end and remote second end respectively, said third arm and said fourth arm being pivotally secured relative to each other between said further termination and said remote first end of said third arm and between said further edge and said remote second end of said fourth arm;   a building block engaging device extending from said remote first end of said third arm;   a further building block engaging device extending from said remote second end of said fourth arm such that in the absence of any tension in said line, said block engaging device and said further block engaging device are free to move away from each other so that at least a portion of the building block is disposed between said block engaging devices, but when tension is applied to said line by said hoist, said block engaging devices move towards each other for firmly and securely engaging therebetween said at least a portion of the building block for facilitating lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block without any need for manual lifting of the building block and the possibility of any back injury that could result from such manual lifting, transportation and accurate placement of the building block;   a trailer for transporting the building block placement apparatus to and from a work site;   said pedestal being anchored to said trailer;   said opening in said pedestal being of round shaped configuration for rotatable reception therein of said proximal end of said support such that rotation of said elongate support relative to said pedestal is permitted;   said elongate support is removably secured within said opening for facilitating transportation of the building block placement apparatus by said trailer.   a lifting device secured to said trailer for lifting said elongate support;   a first extension having a first lower connector and a first upper connector;   said first lower connector selectively cooperating with said opening in said pedestal, said first lower connector being removably received within said opening in said pedestal, said first upper connector of said extension removably receiving therein said proximal end of said elongate support when in use of the building block placement apparatus, the building blocks have been laid up to a first height thereof;   a second extension having a second lower connector and a second upper connector;   said second lower connector selectively cooperating with said first upper connector of said first extension, said second lower connector of said second extension being removably received within said first upper connector of said first extension, said second upper connector of said second extension then removably receiving therein said proximal end of said elongate support when in use of the building block placement apparatus, the building blocks have been laid up to a second height thereof;   said telescopic extension including;   a first member having an inboard end and an outboard end, said inboard end of said first member being pivotally secured to said distal end of said elongate support such that pivoting of said first member relative to said elongate support is permitted;   a second member having an inside end and an outside end, said inside end of said second member slidably cooperating with said outboard end of said first member such that telescopic movement between said first and second members is permitted;   a locking device for locking said first member and said second member relative to each other, said locking device permitting telescopic adjustment of a distance between said inboard end of said first member and said outside end of said second member;   said adjustable jacking device includes:   a hydraulic jack;   said hoist includes:   an electric motor;   a pulley drivingly connected to said electric motor;   said flexible line being wound around said pulley such that when said electric motor is activated, said outboard end of said flexible line moves said building block moving device for facilitating placement of the building blocks at the work site;   said building block moving device further includes:   a handle secured to said first elongate arm for assisting an operator to maneuver said building block moving device so that alignment of the block supported by said building block moving device is facilitated;   said building block engaging device extending from said remote first end of said third arm is fabricated from tungsten steel;   said further building block engaging device extending from said remote second end of said fourth arm is fabricated from tungsten steel such that said tungsten steel remote ends reliably and firmly hold and support the block;   a remote-control device for controlling said hoist; and   said remote-control device being electronically connected to said hoist.